I have a confession to make.
I'm a craft hoarder. The reason why my office/craft space is such a terrible mess, and terribly out of order is because I can't seem to stop buying craft supplies of many, many different kinds. I can't seem to settle on one craft. Sigh. And after I buy more supplies, I wind up not using them because I don't want to waste anything. I don't want to screw up, make a mistake, and waste (gasp) the supplies.
I have paints. I have paper. I have old books for altered book projects. I have polymer clay. I have ArtClay Silver. I have tools. I have gold and silver leaf. I have a kit to make resin cabochons, etc. I have beads. I have findings. I have wire. I have fabric. I have yarn. I have embroidery supplies. I have soap supplies. I have old watches that I have taken apart. I have stamps. I have stamp pads, inks, dyes, scissors. Pretty much, it's almost a case of if you need it or want it, I have at least a LITTLE bit of it. Somewhere. I even have old Friendly Plastic pins that I can melt down and reuse. Pens, pencils, chalks, oil pastels. Really the list is quite endless.
Crashing head to desk.
I also have about a million half finished projects. Or a quarter finished projects. Or un-started projects. Okay you're getting the picture.
So what?
Well, I came across a group of friends on Plurk who suffer from the same problem! (Yeah, I know. No big surprise.... Crafters are an odd bunch.) And one person has stepped up and issued a "Rehab" for all of us.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Beaded Branch...Not Just Jewelry Anymore!
Over 10 years ago, when I started The Beaded Branch, I focused mainly on beaded jewelry. If it had beads, and was jewelry, I was willing to try to make it. And I have made some pretty stunning pieces in my life, if I do say so myself.
However, I never gave up my love of doing other kinds of crafts, and continually experimenting. During one of my experimenting phases, I developed a brand new technique for making pendants. I thought they were pretty, and kind of unique, but I didn't know how to finish what I had started, so I set them aside.
A couple of years later, I started experimenting with them again, trying to figure out how to finish them. Once I figured out how to finish them (adding leather onto the back, and ribbon around the edging), I decided to go ahead and make them into pendants. I did, and I started offering them at craft shows. I initially called them "Faux Enameled Filigrees", but that wasn't really very catchy. So, I started talking to Melanie about what we could call these pretty pendants and pins. They had a Victorian air about them, but weren't really Victorian. They were modern looking, but still old-fashioned. We finally settled on the name Present Past Treasures.
For two years, we struggled. We fought. We argued. We made up and would get back to work. It started out as one page of basic directions on a legal pad. We fleshed them out, sending emails back and forth on a weekly basis, and meeting almost monthly to make Present Past Treasures, taking notes of what we couldn't forget to include, where we wanted pictures, what tools we used, what worked, and what didn't. During this time, Melanie was working full time as a teacher (she still is!), and I was a full time, work from home mommy to the twins (I still am!). Once we had the directions and lists of supplies and tools written up, it came time to take pictures. For this, I enlisted my darling hubby. On his one day off, he took photos of me making a tray of Present Past Treasure pendants. He patiently shot the entire process from beginning to end.
Melanie and I then went through all the photos, found the perfect ones, editted them, and put them into the manuscript. As we were going through the writing process, we kept track of helpful hints, safety hints, and the common problems we ran into. At first, we incorporated them into the directions. We then decided, after reading through it, it was too confusing. So we took the hints out, and put them into a seperate section. Then, after reading through it again, the common problems and how to correct them became their own section.
We were never more proud than the day we designed the cover page, added our names as authors, and finished it. We sent it off to several friends of ours to be read to make sure it made sense. After a few minor grammatical changes, we sighed a huge sigh of relief, and got it ready to be listed on our Etsy and ArtFire sites. We couldn't have done it without a lot of people helping. So, we send a special shout out to the following people:
Andrea Baker of Handmade by Andrea Baker:Thanks so much for your proofreading and your wonderful suggestions!
http://AndreaBaker.etsy.com
Debbi Andersen:Your support and cheerleading has been completely invaluable!
http://theknead2relax.com/
Jennifer “Coach Ferfer” Stoll: Thanks for teaching us to dream big, and your unwavering belief in us. The Dream will come true!!!
http://thestandupcoach.com/default.html
Amanda Day: Your sense of humor, proofreading skills, and believing in us from the first time you heard of this project has been wonderful!!!
http://DawnCorrespondence.etsy.com
http://DawnCorrespondence.artfire.com
Shelley Bossert: Thanks so much for you fabulous advice on copyrighting and being such a lovely lady!
http://NCTeddyBearLady.artfire.com
http://ncteddybearlady.etsy.com
Janine Rowson: Thanks for your proofreading and keeping Theresa from becoming way too comma happy!
The Sassy Sisters in Sales: You ladies ROCK and your support and belief in us is more uplifting than we can possibly explain. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
http://thesassysistersinsales.blogspot.com/
To our Plurk Buddies: Smiles, laughter, tears, heartache, joy, celebrations. We do it all! You folks are FANTASTIC!!!!!!
http://www.Plurk.com
Rose and Marlin Meese: Thanks for making sure everything made sense, watching Da Boys when they needed watching, and for being a wonderful inspiration to me to always reach beyond. I love you Mom and Dad.
To Melanie’s family (especially Carolyn Monger, Pamela Jessee, and Rachel Mays): If it weren’t for you bringing out the crafter in me from an early age, who knows if this ever would have been written! Thank you so much!
Tim Landow: Thanks for saying “What ever you want to do honey, you can do!” And for taking AWESOME pictures whenever I asked. And getting dinner when I was intensely writing, editing, or tired. Thanks so much honey! I couldn’t have done it without you! I love you!
Wayne Ellyson: Thank you so much for your support in everything I do. You are my number one cheerleader and I couldn’t do it without you! Love you! (“Quantum!”)
Nick, Joe, Hunter, Stonewall, Sylvester, and Tiger: to all of our kids, 2 and 4 legged. Thanks for your patience while your moms were working on this!!!! We love you more than anything or anyone!!!!!
However, I never gave up my love of doing other kinds of crafts, and continually experimenting. During one of my experimenting phases, I developed a brand new technique for making pendants. I thought they were pretty, and kind of unique, but I didn't know how to finish what I had started, so I set them aside.A couple of years later, I started experimenting with them again, trying to figure out how to finish them. Once I figured out how to finish them (adding leather onto the back, and ribbon around the edging), I decided to go ahead and make them into pendants. I did, and I started offering them at craft shows. I initially called them "Faux Enameled Filigrees", but that wasn't really very catchy. So, I started talking to Melanie about what we could call these pretty pendants and pins. They had a Victorian air about them, but weren't really Victorian. They were modern looking, but still old-fashioned. We finally settled on the name Present Past Treasures.
At craft shows, they became increasingly popular. People would ooooh and aaaaah over them, and always ask how we made them. After being asked this same question several hundred times (okay, so I'm a little slow...) I decided that maybe, just maybe, writing a tutorial wouldn't be such a bad idea, so I started jotting down ideas on what goes into making Present Past Treasures. I told Melanie that we were going to write a tutorial, and start selling it. She was very excited about the idea.That was two years ago.
For two years, we struggled. We fought. We argued. We made up and would get back to work. It started out as one page of basic directions on a legal pad. We fleshed them out, sending emails back and forth on a weekly basis, and meeting almost monthly to make Present Past Treasures, taking notes of what we couldn't forget to include, where we wanted pictures, what tools we used, what worked, and what didn't. During this time, Melanie was working full time as a teacher (she still is!), and I was a full time, work from home mommy to the twins (I still am!). Once we had the directions and lists of supplies and tools written up, it came time to take pictures. For this, I enlisted my darling hubby. On his one day off, he took photos of me making a tray of Present Past Treasure pendants. He patiently shot the entire process from beginning to end.Melanie and I then went through all the photos, found the perfect ones, editted them, and put them into the manuscript. As we were going through the writing process, we kept track of helpful hints, safety hints, and the common problems we ran into. At first, we incorporated them into the directions. We then decided, after reading through it, it was too confusing. So we took the hints out, and put them into a seperate section. Then, after reading through it again, the common problems and how to correct them became their own section.
We were never more proud than the day we designed the cover page, added our names as authors, and finished it. We sent it off to several friends of ours to be read to make sure it made sense. After a few minor grammatical changes, we sighed a huge sigh of relief, and got it ready to be listed on our Etsy and ArtFire sites. We couldn't have done it without a lot of people helping. So, we send a special shout out to the following people:
Andrea Baker of Handmade by Andrea Baker:Thanks so much for your proofreading and your wonderful suggestions!
http://AndreaBaker.etsy.com
Debbi Andersen:Your support and cheerleading has been completely invaluable!
http://theknead2relax.com/
Jennifer “Coach Ferfer” Stoll: Thanks for teaching us to dream big, and your unwavering belief in us. The Dream will come true!!!
http://thestandupcoach.com/default.html
Amanda Day: Your sense of humor, proofreading skills, and believing in us from the first time you heard of this project has been wonderful!!!
http://DawnCorrespondence.etsy.com
http://DawnCorrespondence.artfire.com
Shelley Bossert: Thanks so much for you fabulous advice on copyrighting and being such a lovely lady!
http://NCTeddyBearLady.artfire.com
http://ncteddybearlady.etsy.com
Janine Rowson: Thanks for your proofreading and keeping Theresa from becoming way too comma happy!
The Sassy Sisters in Sales: You ladies ROCK and your support and belief in us is more uplifting than we can possibly explain. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
http://thesassysistersinsales.blogspot.com/
To our Plurk Buddies: Smiles, laughter, tears, heartache, joy, celebrations. We do it all! You folks are FANTASTIC!!!!!!
http://www.Plurk.com
Rose and Marlin Meese: Thanks for making sure everything made sense, watching Da Boys when they needed watching, and for being a wonderful inspiration to me to always reach beyond. I love you Mom and Dad.
To Melanie’s family (especially Carolyn Monger, Pamela Jessee, and Rachel Mays): If it weren’t for you bringing out the crafter in me from an early age, who knows if this ever would have been written! Thank you so much!
Tim Landow: Thanks for saying “What ever you want to do honey, you can do!” And for taking AWESOME pictures whenever I asked. And getting dinner when I was intensely writing, editing, or tired. Thanks so much honey! I couldn’t have done it without you! I love you!
Wayne Ellyson: Thank you so much for your support in everything I do. You are my number one cheerleader and I couldn’t do it without you! Love you! (“Quantum!”)
Nick, Joe, Hunter, Stonewall, Sylvester, and Tiger: to all of our kids, 2 and 4 legged. Thanks for your patience while your moms were working on this!!!! We love you more than anything or anyone!!!!!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Friday Challenge Update and Celebration!
First thing I'm celebrating this week is BEING OVER MY COLD!!! WOOT!!! I hate having a cold worse than anything in the world, so when I recover from one, I'm very happy!
A second thing I'm celebrating is yesterday I got my hair cut. Fairly short. It hasn't been this short in years. But it will help when it comes to time-saving. After I get out of the shower, I can have it dried and styled in about 10 minutes. LOVIN' IT!!!!
Now, onto my big celebration! My "Organization Challenge"! I have a lot to celebrate this week when it comes to that! The great thing about this book (Organize Now!) is that it has checklists. I follow the checklists, and can show you what I have accomplished and how I accomplished them!
Week 1: Organizing the Mind
1. Get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep a night.
Wow has this helped me get a better perspective on life in general! I wake up refreshed, instead of already exhausted. I feel like I can take on the day much better. I don't need as much coffee. (Okay, I still drink a lot of coffee, but that's just because I love the stuff!!!) And I feel MUCH healthier all around. Sleep is a good thing. Get your seven hours a night. Your body will love you for it!
2. Jotting down a To Do list every morning and
3. Keep a journal
I've always had a journal of some sort, and always wrote out a To Do list first thing in the morning. However, I always made the mistake of having a To Do list with over 30 things on it. Not very realistic, considering I have a house to keep in order, and kids to chase after. So, I have now combined my journal and my To Do list. It really helps to keep things more manageable. I do a "mental" dump every morning of everything that eventually needs to be done into my journal. I then take a look at the big picture, of what big projects are coming up, craft shows, and things like that. I pick out the 5 things from my journal that MUST be accomplished that day. Those 5 things become my To Do list. If I finish early, I can always add something. But if I only accomplish those 5, that's okay, because I have completed a list. And that is something to celebrate!!!!
4. Limit the amount of TV you watch
The TV in our bedroom died recently, so that helps. But the big thing is, I haven't been watching that much TV lately, except for PBS Kids and PBS Sprout. Great shows for kids. Less so for adults. VERY annoying. So, I now schedule TV time for ME! Now, I get to watch one or two shows that I like every afternoon. Which is a good thing, because I think our DVR was about to explode from all the shows that are on there. And it's a wonderful panacea to my frazzled brain. Watching an episode of Ghost Hunters or Dr. Phil or Destination Truth clears my brain of The Little Einsteins, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and The Wiggles.
5. Schedule 2 or 3 two-minute breaks throughout the day and
6. Practice meditating
I have started combining these two. I sit on my screened in porch, and clear my mind for a couple of minutes. I breathe deep and slowly, with my eyes closed, and listen to the sounds of nature around me. I allow myself to relax. This has been so very helpful, and I can get back to my "center". It invigorates me when I return back to whatever task I have next on my list of things to do.
7. Schedule exercise time.
Bad me, I haven't done this yet. But I will. As soon as life calms down a little bit.
8. Schedule "Me Time"
I've always been an advocate of this for everyone. After a day of being on call to what seems like everyone in the world, I need some time away from everyone and everything. Every evening, after dinner, my hubby is now in charge of getting everything ready for bedtime for the boys. He has to prep the nursery, get sippy cups filled with water, and start to pick up toys. I get to go take a long, hot, bubble-filled bath, with a good book or relaxing music. It's always been my favorite time of the day.
9. Eliminate energy drainers--clutter, trash, projects that will never get done due to loss of interest, things like that.
Okay, I'm still working on this. Pretty much, this encapsulates my entire house. But I'm working on it. Slowly.
10. Take better control of your time.
I'm having a little trouble doing this. The boys are very demanding at times, and it really interrupts my work flow. HOWEVER--since I have only 5 things on my To Do list at any given time, I'm getting a little better at this. I'm hoping that soon I'll be able to find a schedule and stick to it!!!!
Now we skip ahead to:
Week 14: Organize you Crafts
This project I'm realizing is going to have to be on going though out this challenge. There is so much STUFF in the craft room/office that sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees. I am trying to cut down some of those trees, however.
Recently, I cleared a small space in the middle of the craft room, and did a slow 360, really seeing things as they are, not just looking around. One thing I saw was a box of soap making supplies that have been through 2 moves, and are now collecting dust. I got online, contacted one of my soap-making friends, asked if she wanted a bunch of old supplies I don't need anymore, and now they are boxed up, ready to go into the mail next week. She called it a "Random Act of Kindness". I call it "Decluttering" and "Moving Stuff to Someone Who Will Actually Use It." But, whatever works! LOL. So, soon I'm hoping to see some more pretty soaps coming from Mary at Satisfy Your Senses. I can guarentee she'll be having some new soaps sometime in the future! (LOL)
So, what's the message there? If you have a bunch of old supplies you don't need or don't want--find someone who does. Find someone who has that interest and pass the stuff on to them. It's a twofold reward: You clear out space, and your friend will aquire new supplies, at no cost. (Yeah, that's the key--GIVE the supplies. Don't SELL them. The karma that comes back will be wonderful! Plus, it gives warm, fuzzy feelings for all involved.)
My jewelry supplies are an ongoing battle. And will for awhile. But small dents are being made, and everytime I bag, label, and put away another set of beads, or piece of jewelry, I'm one step closer to my goal. Baby steps. Not huge strides. But even baby steps can get me somewhere.
Next week: Week 14 (Organize your Crafts) (I did say this is going to be ongoing!!) and Week 2: Organize your Schedule.
Keep your sand blue and have a great week!!!!
A second thing I'm celebrating is yesterday I got my hair cut. Fairly short. It hasn't been this short in years. But it will help when it comes to time-saving. After I get out of the shower, I can have it dried and styled in about 10 minutes. LOVIN' IT!!!!
Now, onto my big celebration! My "Organization Challenge"! I have a lot to celebrate this week when it comes to that! The great thing about this book (Organize Now!) is that it has checklists. I follow the checklists, and can show you what I have accomplished and how I accomplished them!
Week 1: Organizing the Mind
1. Get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep a night.
Wow has this helped me get a better perspective on life in general! I wake up refreshed, instead of already exhausted. I feel like I can take on the day much better. I don't need as much coffee. (Okay, I still drink a lot of coffee, but that's just because I love the stuff!!!) And I feel MUCH healthier all around. Sleep is a good thing. Get your seven hours a night. Your body will love you for it!
2. Jotting down a To Do list every morning and
3. Keep a journal
I've always had a journal of some sort, and always wrote out a To Do list first thing in the morning. However, I always made the mistake of having a To Do list with over 30 things on it. Not very realistic, considering I have a house to keep in order, and kids to chase after. So, I have now combined my journal and my To Do list. It really helps to keep things more manageable. I do a "mental" dump every morning of everything that eventually needs to be done into my journal. I then take a look at the big picture, of what big projects are coming up, craft shows, and things like that. I pick out the 5 things from my journal that MUST be accomplished that day. Those 5 things become my To Do list. If I finish early, I can always add something. But if I only accomplish those 5, that's okay, because I have completed a list. And that is something to celebrate!!!!
4. Limit the amount of TV you watch
The TV in our bedroom died recently, so that helps. But the big thing is, I haven't been watching that much TV lately, except for PBS Kids and PBS Sprout. Great shows for kids. Less so for adults. VERY annoying. So, I now schedule TV time for ME! Now, I get to watch one or two shows that I like every afternoon. Which is a good thing, because I think our DVR was about to explode from all the shows that are on there. And it's a wonderful panacea to my frazzled brain. Watching an episode of Ghost Hunters or Dr. Phil or Destination Truth clears my brain of The Little Einsteins, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and The Wiggles.
5. Schedule 2 or 3 two-minute breaks throughout the day and
6. Practice meditating
I have started combining these two. I sit on my screened in porch, and clear my mind for a couple of minutes. I breathe deep and slowly, with my eyes closed, and listen to the sounds of nature around me. I allow myself to relax. This has been so very helpful, and I can get back to my "center". It invigorates me when I return back to whatever task I have next on my list of things to do.
7. Schedule exercise time.
Bad me, I haven't done this yet. But I will. As soon as life calms down a little bit.
8. Schedule "Me Time"
I've always been an advocate of this for everyone. After a day of being on call to what seems like everyone in the world, I need some time away from everyone and everything. Every evening, after dinner, my hubby is now in charge of getting everything ready for bedtime for the boys. He has to prep the nursery, get sippy cups filled with water, and start to pick up toys. I get to go take a long, hot, bubble-filled bath, with a good book or relaxing music. It's always been my favorite time of the day.
9. Eliminate energy drainers--clutter, trash, projects that will never get done due to loss of interest, things like that.
Okay, I'm still working on this. Pretty much, this encapsulates my entire house. But I'm working on it. Slowly.
10. Take better control of your time.
I'm having a little trouble doing this. The boys are very demanding at times, and it really interrupts my work flow. HOWEVER--since I have only 5 things on my To Do list at any given time, I'm getting a little better at this. I'm hoping that soon I'll be able to find a schedule and stick to it!!!!
Now we skip ahead to:
Week 14: Organize you Crafts
This project I'm realizing is going to have to be on going though out this challenge. There is so much STUFF in the craft room/office that sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees. I am trying to cut down some of those trees, however.
Recently, I cleared a small space in the middle of the craft room, and did a slow 360, really seeing things as they are, not just looking around. One thing I saw was a box of soap making supplies that have been through 2 moves, and are now collecting dust. I got online, contacted one of my soap-making friends, asked if she wanted a bunch of old supplies I don't need anymore, and now they are boxed up, ready to go into the mail next week. She called it a "Random Act of Kindness". I call it "Decluttering" and "Moving Stuff to Someone Who Will Actually Use It." But, whatever works! LOL. So, soon I'm hoping to see some more pretty soaps coming from Mary at Satisfy Your Senses. I can guarentee she'll be having some new soaps sometime in the future! (LOL)
So, what's the message there? If you have a bunch of old supplies you don't need or don't want--find someone who does. Find someone who has that interest and pass the stuff on to them. It's a twofold reward: You clear out space, and your friend will aquire new supplies, at no cost. (Yeah, that's the key--GIVE the supplies. Don't SELL them. The karma that comes back will be wonderful! Plus, it gives warm, fuzzy feelings for all involved.)
My jewelry supplies are an ongoing battle. And will for awhile. But small dents are being made, and everytime I bag, label, and put away another set of beads, or piece of jewelry, I'm one step closer to my goal. Baby steps. Not huge strides. But even baby steps can get me somewhere.
Next week: Week 14 (Organize your Crafts) (I did say this is going to be ongoing!!) and Week 2: Organize your Schedule.
Keep your sand blue and have a great week!!!!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Challenge Update and Celebration Friday
Hi all. I know I promised an update on the "organizational challenge" to myself. Whoops. Guess what? As a lot of you know from Plurk, I was sick all week. NOT a good time to start a project.
However, it is Friday, and I do have a lot to celebrate, so I will be celebrating today!!
I am celebrating that I am almost over my cold. Still a little snuffly. Still a little cough. But a LOT more energy than I had before. Which is a great thing. Because that means I can still accomplish a lot today. (If I can get this monkey off my back, namely Nick! LOL)
I am celebrating my wonderful friends! Mostly, my WONDERFUL friend Andrea Baker. She pretty much emptied out her Etsy store so that I can try to sell some of her wonderful products at two of my upcoming craft shows, Old Farm Day at Pleasant Grove, in Fluvanna County, VA and the Halloween Festival at Lake Monticello in Palmyra, VA. Who knows, this might be the start of something big!! I have a whole box full of goodies from her shop, business card cozies, pins, totes, bags, checkbook cozies, you name it. And each one is more beautiful than the last one. Plus, she included my custom made consultant tote. And matching pin. And matching business card cozy. I was so surprised when I opened the box and saw those, I cried.
I am celebrating my wonderful, loving family. I just feel an overwhelming amount of love for my family today. Some days are like that for me. I always love them, but sometimes, especially when I've been sick, I'm even more grateful to them for putting up with my crankiness and exhaustion.
Next week, I will be back on track. I will have a huge amount of organization done, and will be rockin' and rollin' and ready for my show next Saturday.
Until next time, keep your sand blue!!!
However, it is Friday, and I do have a lot to celebrate, so I will be celebrating today!!
I am celebrating that I am almost over my cold. Still a little snuffly. Still a little cough. But a LOT more energy than I had before. Which is a great thing. Because that means I can still accomplish a lot today. (If I can get this monkey off my back, namely Nick! LOL)
I am celebrating my wonderful friends! Mostly, my WONDERFUL friend Andrea Baker. She pretty much emptied out her Etsy store so that I can try to sell some of her wonderful products at two of my upcoming craft shows, Old Farm Day at Pleasant Grove, in Fluvanna County, VA and the Halloween Festival at Lake Monticello in Palmyra, VA. Who knows, this might be the start of something big!! I have a whole box full of goodies from her shop, business card cozies, pins, totes, bags, checkbook cozies, you name it. And each one is more beautiful than the last one. Plus, she included my custom made consultant tote. And matching pin. And matching business card cozy. I was so surprised when I opened the box and saw those, I cried.
I am celebrating my wonderful, loving family. I just feel an overwhelming amount of love for my family today. Some days are like that for me. I always love them, but sometimes, especially when I've been sick, I'm even more grateful to them for putting up with my crankiness and exhaustion.
Next week, I will be back on track. I will have a huge amount of organization done, and will be rockin' and rollin' and ready for my show next Saturday.
Until next time, keep your sand blue!!!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I've Been Tagged!!
I've Been Tagged!!! I was tagged by Gail of The Blue Daisy Designs. Now I need to come up with 10 interesting facts about myself, and tag 10 other people.
Here are some interesting facts:
1. One of my early jobs was making mircofilm and microfiche.
2. I have been married for 5 wonderful years to my hubby Tim.
3. My hubby and I actually met 20+ years ago, when we were both hanging out at The Rocky Horror Picture Show in northern Virginia. We reconnected and started dating 10 years ago.
4. I collect souvenir spoons. (Or at least I used to.)
5. My two favorite colors are sage green and rose pink.
6. I am a recovering agoraphobic, drug addict, and alcoholic.
7. I have been a theater geek since I was in elementary school, and only gave it up after I had the twins.
8. I a degree in History, with a minor in English (so I can give you a well organized, well written speech on the history of the potato when asking you if you want fries with that! LOL)
9. My favorite meal is homemade root beer, macaroni and cheese, and fried fish. (The only things my mom could eat when she was pregnant with me!! LOL)
10. I have more hobbies than should be legally allowed, and am still trying to find where all of my talents lie.
And now, for those that I am tagging!
1. This Mom's Life by Andrea Baker
2. Deb's Gift Boutique by Debbi Andersen
3. Dawn Correspondence by Amanda Day
4. Alexmani Events by Kattia Gordon
5. Satisfy Your Senses by Mary Reid
6. Bold and Beautiful Party Girl by Christina Strickland
7. A Day in my Life! by Jennifer Flory
8. Fabulous Food and More by Melanie Ellyson
9. Coffee Talk with Ferf by Jennifer Stoll
10. Candles Galore and More! by Rose Stolarz
To all of those who have been tagged, simply copy and paste the "Tag your It" badge to your blog, tell us 10 interesting facts about yourself and then tag 10 others.
Remember to keep your sand blue!!!!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Cranberry Tea and the Common Cold
Okay, now you've done it. You've gone and caught a cold. Just like I have. Right now. Two weeks before one of my major craft shows. Oh BLEH!!! Now what do I do?
Increase my vitamin C and zinc intake. Check.
Drink lemon and ginger tea. Check.
Call my mom and have her bring over some regular old cranberry juice to make one of the best helps for a cold possible. CRANBERRY TEA!
Mom and I swear by it. It's warming, it's comforting, and it's chock full of all those groovy things like Vitamin C and anti oxidents and all that other good stuff that cranberries have. Plus, it is YUMMY, if you like cranberries.
There are two versions of the recipe here. One is the original, and one is the updated, easier version. Here they are:
ORIGINAL CRANBERRY TEA
4 C water
12 whole cloves
2 short cinnamon sticks
4 Tbls honey or sugar
4 regular teabags (black tea works best)
2 C cranberry juice
Heat water, cloves, cinnamon, and sugar to boil. Remove from heat, add tea bags, cover pan and allow to steep. When steeped for as long as you like, add cranberry juice, and reheat.
and now,
UPDATED CRANBERRY TEA
Follow recipe as above except OMIT the cloves and cinnamon sticks. Exchange the regular black tea bags for Chai tea bags. Make sure you use honey, not sugar.
That's pretty much it. It makes so darn much that while I am drinking my first cup, I will put the rest in the refrigerator. It tastes just as good in the microwave. It's a yummy treat on a cold day, or when you have a nasty cold.
(cough, hack, wheeze.... aaaahhhhh chooooo!!!!) Excuse me, I think I'm going to go start brewing the chai so that it will be ready when mom shows up with the cranberry juice!!!
Increase my vitamin C and zinc intake. Check.
Drink lemon and ginger tea. Check.
Call my mom and have her bring over some regular old cranberry juice to make one of the best helps for a cold possible. CRANBERRY TEA!
Mom and I swear by it. It's warming, it's comforting, and it's chock full of all those groovy things like Vitamin C and anti oxidents and all that other good stuff that cranberries have. Plus, it is YUMMY, if you like cranberries.
There are two versions of the recipe here. One is the original, and one is the updated, easier version. Here they are:
ORIGINAL CRANBERRY TEA
4 C water
12 whole cloves
2 short cinnamon sticks
4 Tbls honey or sugar
4 regular teabags (black tea works best)
2 C cranberry juice
Heat water, cloves, cinnamon, and sugar to boil. Remove from heat, add tea bags, cover pan and allow to steep. When steeped for as long as you like, add cranberry juice, and reheat.
and now,
UPDATED CRANBERRY TEA
Follow recipe as above except OMIT the cloves and cinnamon sticks. Exchange the regular black tea bags for Chai tea bags. Make sure you use honey, not sugar.
That's pretty much it. It makes so darn much that while I am drinking my first cup, I will put the rest in the refrigerator. It tastes just as good in the microwave. It's a yummy treat on a cold day, or when you have a nasty cold.
(cough, hack, wheeze.... aaaahhhhh chooooo!!!!) Excuse me, I think I'm going to go start brewing the chai so that it will be ready when mom shows up with the cranberry juice!!!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Who's up for the challenge?????
Greetings all! Yes, it has been awhile since I've posted, but life does get in the way something! ;-)
Because of this, I have decided to issue myself a challenge. This is multilevel challenge, and here is how it is going to work, and the reasons behind it.
The first part of the challenge encompasses my house and life in general. Quite awhile back, I posted that I wanted to organize my office/craft space. Since that time, it has NOT gotten better. In fact, it has gotten worse. My entire house seems ready to implode with mess and disorganization. It has gotten to a point where even my mom has made some comments on it. And, bless her heart, has decided to help me out. She purchased this WONDERFUL little book for me, "Organize NOW!" by Jennifer Ford Berry. (It can be purchased here through Amazon)
This fabulous book is broken up by weeks. 52 chapter, 52 weeks. One week to organize one room or section of my life. Okay, I'll admit, some sections might take longer than one week. But for some sections, it will take less, so it will all even out in the end. I hope. :-)
Because I know what my bigger problem areas are (coughs, sounding just like "craft room"), I will be skipping around in the book, somewhat. I kind of have the feeling that once I get those areas organized, and everything dealt with, the rest won't seem so daunting.
I did say that this is a multi-level challenge to myself right? Well, here is the second part of my challenge. Each week, I will give an update on this journey of organization, and I will take you, my readers, on this trip with me. I will share with you my successes, joys, heart aches, and pitfalls of this journey. (This will guarantee that I will blog at least once a week. At least for a year.) I will include before and after pics of the rooms. I will even try to keep a running list of supplies that I used. And stuff that I'm getting rid of. (Who knows, I might even offer some of it up for sale....) I'll try to include places where some of the things can be bought. Be forewarned however, that I might not always do that. I have TONS of organizing stuff around my house that is NOT being utilized right now. Most of it, I'm not even sure where I got it. Or if it's available anymore. However, I will try to do my best. ;-)
Each Friday, I will try to post, let you know what I have accomplished, and what my next challenge will be. If you decide to join me on this year long challenge, you can get the book, and join in, creating a challenge of your own.
I am hoping that on this trip, I will learn more about myself, and learn how to let go of things. I am sure that I will scream, cry, and cuss a lot. But I am equally sure that by the end of the year, life will be a little easier, and my house will be a little easier to take care of.
Since I have cheated a little (you folkes that I talk to on Plurk already know this!!) next week will be a two for one special deal. I will be covering TWO sections:
Week 1--Organize Your Mind AND Week 14-- Organize Your Crafts
A lot of you know that the company that makes my jewelry pricing software went belly up, and can't be found anywhere. Instead of trying to struggle through with software that has many glitches in it, I am now utilizing two pieces of software: one for the actual jewelry I make, and the other for pricing out jewelry PARTS that I make (pendants, beads, chain maille rings, etc.). It will cut down on the confusion in my mind. But since I have already started transferring data, I'm also having a perfect opportunity to update, consolidate, and organize a lot of my supplies. So, yes, the journey has begun. And like I said, I will be keeping you up to date on everything.
Until next week, keep dreaming of blue sand!
Because of this, I have decided to issue myself a challenge. This is multilevel challenge, and here is how it is going to work, and the reasons behind it.
The first part of the challenge encompasses my house and life in general. Quite awhile back, I posted that I wanted to organize my office/craft space. Since that time, it has NOT gotten better. In fact, it has gotten worse. My entire house seems ready to implode with mess and disorganization. It has gotten to a point where even my mom has made some comments on it. And, bless her heart, has decided to help me out. She purchased this WONDERFUL little book for me, "Organize NOW!" by Jennifer Ford Berry. (It can be purchased here through Amazon)
This fabulous book is broken up by weeks. 52 chapter, 52 weeks. One week to organize one room or section of my life. Okay, I'll admit, some sections might take longer than one week. But for some sections, it will take less, so it will all even out in the end. I hope. :-)
Because I know what my bigger problem areas are (coughs, sounding just like "craft room"), I will be skipping around in the book, somewhat. I kind of have the feeling that once I get those areas organized, and everything dealt with, the rest won't seem so daunting.
I did say that this is a multi-level challenge to myself right? Well, here is the second part of my challenge. Each week, I will give an update on this journey of organization, and I will take you, my readers, on this trip with me. I will share with you my successes, joys, heart aches, and pitfalls of this journey. (This will guarantee that I will blog at least once a week. At least for a year.) I will include before and after pics of the rooms. I will even try to keep a running list of supplies that I used. And stuff that I'm getting rid of. (Who knows, I might even offer some of it up for sale....) I'll try to include places where some of the things can be bought. Be forewarned however, that I might not always do that. I have TONS of organizing stuff around my house that is NOT being utilized right now. Most of it, I'm not even sure where I got it. Or if it's available anymore. However, I will try to do my best. ;-)
Each Friday, I will try to post, let you know what I have accomplished, and what my next challenge will be. If you decide to join me on this year long challenge, you can get the book, and join in, creating a challenge of your own.
I am hoping that on this trip, I will learn more about myself, and learn how to let go of things. I am sure that I will scream, cry, and cuss a lot. But I am equally sure that by the end of the year, life will be a little easier, and my house will be a little easier to take care of.
Since I have cheated a little (you folkes that I talk to on Plurk already know this!!) next week will be a two for one special deal. I will be covering TWO sections:
Week 1--Organize Your Mind AND Week 14-- Organize Your Crafts
A lot of you know that the company that makes my jewelry pricing software went belly up, and can't be found anywhere. Instead of trying to struggle through with software that has many glitches in it, I am now utilizing two pieces of software: one for the actual jewelry I make, and the other for pricing out jewelry PARTS that I make (pendants, beads, chain maille rings, etc.). It will cut down on the confusion in my mind. But since I have already started transferring data, I'm also having a perfect opportunity to update, consolidate, and organize a lot of my supplies. So, yes, the journey has begun. And like I said, I will be keeping you up to date on everything.
Until next week, keep dreaming of blue sand!
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